Shed with wooden details, a nod to the agricultural environment where brightly colored fruits and natural juices are sold. 500 meters away, predominantly blue building with large shelves above the counter offering a wide range of products from toys, household goods, clothing and technology to national and international brands.
Two completely different proposals from the traditional supermarkets in Franca. OBA Hortifruti Farm and Sam’s Club are gradually gaining traction and becoming popular among consumers, some of whom have already formed an opinion.
OBA
Last Sunday, November 19, OBA concluded its monthlong deployment in Franca. During the opening week, 33yearold civil servant Luiz Fernando Oliveira visited the store and noticed the differences. “It was very crowded. The first impression I had was of quality products, but at a higher, more expensive price.”
For 47yearold Ademir Aparecido Teixeira, the quality of the products justifies the prices. “In conventional markets, fruits and vegetables are not fresh and there is also the issue of convenience that everything is ready.”
The Frenchman bought watermelons and other fruits without minimal processing. According to him, the prices of these products put a bit of a strain on the wallet. “We can’t afford that luxury,” he joked.
The place is characterized by the daily arrival of fruits and vegetables, in addition to offering a diverse offer that includes grocery stores, premium meat shops, fishmongers, wine cellars, imported products, cheese and cold cuts, an exclusive line of private label products and much more. The environment offers a welcoming, farminspired atmosphere and also features animated characters who interact through speech, music and dance.
66yearold rotisserie owner Ana Virgínia Ubiali Jacinto had the opportunity to visit OBA branches in other cities. “It was something Franca needed. Something different and with quality (…) You don’t have to think twice or decide, just pick it up and take it with you. You’re going to buy a grape, but you know. “It won’t go sour, understand?!” he clarified.
Ana recommends the brand to other people, including those who are looking for variety. “You buy the treats that interest you and that you want and at the same time have the opportunity to discover new things.”
Sams
The colors remind us of the previous “owner” of the building. With the style of an American department store, similar to those featured in series and films, Sam’s Club attracts attention for its splendor, be it the variety of products mainly international or the size of its packaging.
“It’s a little difficult to compare it with other (supermarkets) because I think it offers other things that we don’t normally find. There is also the problem of larger packaging, which ultimately saves money,” emphasizes Luiz Fernando.
To scale pack size, the store sells toilet paper packs of up to 40 rolls. The same applies to cleaning products and mouthwash, for example.
The Frenchman buys everything for his children, from bags of chips to liters of orange juice and marshmallows. And he’s not the only one in the family who sees the store positively. “My mother is crazy about the grill they sell there, which I often see in films and series from the USA.”
Imported products. A possibility that also caught the attention of 50yearold breakfast basket seller Cláudia Araújo Batista. “At Sam’s it’s worth getting to know products from other countries.”
“I will come back more often and recommend it to others. It is always good to have different market options, prices and different products,” he added.